Start EMT Training in NYC

To be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in NYC, you will receive training on providing basic life support in pre-hospital medical emergency situations. The type of care you will provide to patients include CPR, oxygen administration, bleeding control, foreign body airway obstruction removal, and spinal immobilization.

What is required to be an EMT?

You have to be at least 18 years old

A valid NYS DOH EMS- Emergency Medical Technician Certificate

A high school diploma, or an equivalent (such as a GED)

And a driver’s license that is valid in the State of New York*

*You do not have to be in possession of a New York State driver’s license. A driver’s license issued from out-of-state is fine, as long as you have not lost any driving privileges in New York.

If you meet the above requirements to be an EMT, you are eligible to enroll in a training class. The program covers a wide array of topics pertaining to the career. The classes generally begin with an introduction to the profession, to give students an idea of what they can expect. From there the course moves from one topic to another, such as lifting and carrying patients onto a stretcher and providing emergency childbirth deliveries.

Your training as an EMT in NYC has two parts:

In-class instruction

Practical training

The first part involves an instructor who gives a series of lectures, which are divided into lesson plans known as “modules.” Each module is on a specific topic, such as triage, managing airways, and routinely checking equipment and sanitizing the ambulance. During your classroom instruction, there will also be exercises to participate in with your fellow classmates. Not only do these exercises help with the lesson plans, but they also prepare you in learning how to effectively work with teammates.

The second part of training to be an EMT is practical training. You are required to spend a set number of hours accompanying real EMTs as they perform their day-to-day functions. This is an excellent opportunity for the aspiring EMTs. It gives you a firsthand experience of the career of the Emergency Medical Technician. For the student, it is a great way to show how everything you have been taught is being applied in the real world.

After Training: What’s Next?

Once you completed your training, you are ready to earn the NYS EMS – EMT certification. To receive the certificate you must pass two types of examinations:

Written exam

Practical exam

The written exam is composed of multiple choice questions. Depending on what level of certification you are aiming to get will determine how long the test is:

For all levels of certification, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70%.

The practical examination involves candidates participating in a series of scenarios taking place at different stations in the room. For example, at one station you will be tested on patient assessment. At another, you will be tested on cardiac arrest management. The stations and the scenarios you will be tested on depend on the level of certification you wish to attain. Each scenario has a time limit, and you will be tested on whether you followed through on the proper procedures.

You can expect your test results to be mailed to your address (the one listed on your application for the training course) from 4 to 6 weeks from the test date.